Chapter Text
Stolas was sitting alone in his study, trying to read a romance novel… but everytime he tried to picture the love interests, he kept seeing Blitz and himself. He groaned and set the book down, “How does one make this feeling end?!”
Just as he felt another sad serenade begin to form in his throat, there was a knock on the door.
“Sire? You have an unexpected guest.”
“Ugh, send them away! I am in no mood!”
“Aw come on now Stolas, is that any way to treat the king of hell?” A grinning face forced his way past the butler. Stolas stood immediately before swiftly bowing.
“Your majesty, I apologize, I hadn't known it was you! Why the sudden visit?” He smiled nervously, mentally cursing himself.
“Oh, I have someone who was desperate to meet you, and I owe them a favor. So, I figured the best way for them to see the real you, was a surprise visit!” Lucifer was grinning, but there was no kindness behind it. Like he hoped this meeting would show Stolas in a bad light. And well, given he was lounging in a barely held shut robe and nothing else in the middle of the day… let's say Stolas felt he was off to a bad start.
“Someone who wanted to meet me? And who would that be?”
Lucifer lowered his voice to a whisper, and turned to the door, “A new Sinner.” Stolas looked over and saw a demon helping his butler back to his feet and fussing over him for any injury, despite the imp's quiet protests that he was fine. As if feeling the extra eyes on them, the demon turned their head, giving a sheepish smile before it switched to an awed gasp as they locked eyes with Stolas, their pupils dilating.
As they slowly stood, Stolas took in their form.
Their hair was a pastel gradient from sea green to baby blue to lavender. They had large canine ears atop their head that were the same sea green at their base, fading to white at the tips. Their clothes were formal, but simple, a white button up, with a dark blue vest, though their green overcoat was covered in yellow flower designs. He held a red covered book in his arms. As he examined the demon's jawline and deep blue eyes, Stolas realized they were a man. He also noticed a large bushy tail swishing behind him. It was mostly lavender with white at the tip similar to his ears. He finally made his way down to the man's shoes, and was surprised to find cheap sneakers. They didn't match the rest of the outfit in the slightest, and it made Stolas question if this was the man's usual state of dress, or if he dressed up for their meeting.
The man took three steps into the room and gave a half bow, “It's a true pleasure to meet you, my name is Zachary, but my friends call me Zachie.” He turned his face back up and gave a dazzling smile, full of genuine happiness. His tail wagged excitedly.
“Oh, well it's a pleasure to meet you too. So what made you so desire to meet with me? Most human souls lose any interest in the Goetia once they learn how little power we really have in the pride ring. I didn't make you some kind of promise while drunk at a summoning, did I?” Stolas was nervous, he avoided Sinners at all cost, given how volatile and violent they typically were. One poisoned cup out of ten after all…
Zachary's expression fell, looking down at his feet. His ears drooped and his tail swished across the floor anxiously, “Well no, I never tried to summon you. All the rituals in the book required multiple people to summon any demons… but it said you loved astrology, botony, and knowledge in general, so I imagined you enjoyed reading… and I love reading and stargazing, so I thought maybe I could share some of my favorite books with you.” His head popped back up suddenly, “Oh! I almost forgot! Here!” He held out the book in his arms. “This is for you. A gift. I… had someone get it for me, it's the first book in my favorite romance series. I hope that's not too weird of a gift…”
Stolas was taken aback, “You… are correct, I do enjoy books.” He hesitantly took the book, reading the title, “What kind of romance is it?”
“A love story between a fallen god and a demon king.”
Lucifer cleared his throat, “Welp! That sounds like my cue to leave! Zach knows his way back to the hotel easily enough, so just kick him out when you're bored of him. And Zach, remember to text Charlie if you're going to be late getting back, or she'll worry you got lost or something.” And with that, Lucifer disappeared in a shimmering gold and red mist.
There's a nervous silence between the two for a moment, Zach fidgeting and looking around the room. It's then Stolas noticed his robe had fallen open a little. He tightened it, “Ah well, have a seat while I go change. I'll have tea and snacks brought for you while you wait.” Stolas quickly stepped away from the room to change into something more fitting for having company.
While he was in his closet, he looked the book he'd been gifted over again. It was a paperback with beautiful art on the cover, red being the predominant color. Reading the back of the cover, it certainly sounded like an interesting story. A fallen god, a ghost risen? Well, perhaps it would be better than the romance novels he'd found in hell.
Once dressed, he returned to the room, finding Zachary sitting in one of the chairs and typing speedily on his cellphone. Stolas couldn't help his curiosity and peeked over his shoulder to see who he was messaging. It was self preservation, he reasoned. What if Zach turned out to be an assassin?!
But what he saw looked like- “Are you writing a story?” Zach yipped and jumped an inch at the sudden awareness of Stolas.
“I um, yes… it's not very good… but I'm trying to be a writer. I tried to get a book written when I was alive, but couldn't get past the ‘rough draft’ phase.”
“Mind if I read what you've written?” He asked, holding out his hand.
Zach's ears perked up, “You're interested in my story? I can read it to you, if you'd like! I've been told I have a good voice for it.” His tail flicked a few times, hopeful excitement, Stolas guessed.
“Hm, I suppose that would be fine…” He sat down and picked up a tea cup.
Zach smiled and started reading from chapter one…
His voice was soothing as he fell into a reading cadence, and Stolas found himself relaxing further into his own chair.
As he finished chapter one, Zachary looked at him expectantly. “What do you think so far? Do you like it? Or am I boring you?”
Stolas opened his eyes, he hadn't even realized he'd closed them!
“Oh, it's quite nice. Your voice is rather soothing. My apologies, I haven't been sleeping well lately, and I suppose I nodded off a bit.”
“Oh, no need to apologize! That's a compliment in and of itself.” Zach smiled and put away his phone.
“Oh? How so?” Stolas was curious, how was falling asleep on a guest a compliment?
“Because you're comfortable enough to fall asleep around me. That shows trust. And you found my voice relaxing enough to soothe you from whatever was bothering you. I'm happy I was able to help, even if just for a little bit.”
“Ah, I suppose you're right…” Stolas blushed at his reasoning, it was rather sweet… “You know, I think you should keep writing.”
The canine's ears perked up, “You do?” Zach's eyes were practically sparkling with hope. How cute!
“Indeed, in fact I'd appreciate it if you came by regularly to read to me, perhaps weekly, if that wouldn't be too much of a strain on your schedule?”
“I'd love to!” He smiled wide,tail wagging aggressively. “How about every sunday? I'm sure I can convince Charlie to let me have every Sunday off from the hotel, especially if I lie and say it's to pray or something holy or religious sounding.”
Stolas chuckled, “My my, lying to the princess of hell to see me? Sounds like you're making me a dirty little secret~.”
Ah, what was he doing?! Don't flirt with a sinner, Stolas! They're dangerous!
“Oh, huh… I didn't think of it that way. Yeah, it would be better just to say I want to meet up with my new best friend! Then I'm not potentially hurting anyone!” He had such an innocent reaction, Stolas had to stop and just… blink.
Was he turning down his advances?... Did he call Stolas his “best friend”?
Stolas smiled, “Yes, I think best friend is the correct title for us. Zachie.”